Actor James Rebhorn, whose five decades of work include roles in Homeland, Scent Of A Woman and Independence Day, has died aged 65.

He passed away on Friday at his home in South Orange, New Jersey. It is understood he had been suffering from skin cancer.

Rebhorn's agent Dianne Busch said he had been diagnosed with melanoma in 1992, but managed to carry on working until last month.

The star amassed more than 100 television and film credits, ranging from a shipping magnate in the Matt Damon film The Talented Mr Ripley to the prosecutor in the series finale of the TV comedy Seinfeld, in which he famously sent the group to jail.

In Homeland he played the father of Claire Danes' character, CIA officer Carrie Mathison. He also had a recurring role on the USA Network series White Collar playing the head of an FBI white-collar crime unit.

Other credits of Philadelphia-born Rebhorn, who received his masters in acting from Columbia University, include Law & Order, Carlito's Way and Meet The Parents.

Rebhorn also frequently worked in theatre, starring on Broadway in revivals of Our Town, 12 Angry Men and the original 1985 production of I'm Not Rappaport.

He is survived by his wife Rebecca Linn and two daughters.

It is understood that a fourth series of Homeland has been commissioned, but it is not known if filming is under way.